Package for displaying elongated articles



Nov. 16, 1965 R. I. HARRIS PACKAGE FOR DISPLAYING ELONGATED ARTICLES Filed 001:. 21, 1963 FIG. 1.

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INVENTOR. ROBERT J. HARRIS,

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United States Patent 3,217,867 PACKAGE FOR DISPLAYING ELONGATED ARTICLES Robert I. Harris, Providence, R.I., assignor to Brite Manufacturing Co., Providence, R.I., a corporation of Rhode Island Filed Oct. 21, 1963, Ser. No. 317,422 3 Claims. (Cl. 206-4534) The present invention relates to a package for displaying an ornamental article therein. More particularly, the present invention relates to a display package and includes a minimum of component parts that are adapted to be interlocked for visibly retaining an ornamental article for display therebetween.

The display package embodied in the present invention is of the general type illustrated and described in copending application Serial No. 234,482, filed November 5, 1962, and entitled Display Package. The present invention, like the package described in the aforesaid copending application, is adapted for the display of an elongated article, such as a watch band or the like. However, it is understood that the package embodied herein is not limited to the display of watch bands therein, although the unique characteristics of the package do provide for the effective display of watch bands from a counter, display rack or the like.

Although the display package embodied in the present invention is generally similar to that illustrated and described in the copending application, there are several distinctive features in the present invention that provide a unique and distinctive package for the display of an ornamental article therein. The package of the present invention includes a frame having an elongated slot formed therein through which an open top container projects, the underside of the walls that define the frame being formed with spaced depressions that are adapted to receive projections therein that are located on a flange formed as an integral part of the open-top container. The interfitting of the projections and depressions prevents the flange of the container from disengaging from the frame if lateral inward pressure on the container is encountered. The open-top container is further provided with a peripheral stepped portion that conforms to the configuration of the slot in the frame so as to properly position the container therein. And finally, in order to properly and securely retain the component parts of the package in secure relation, a strip of material, such as a cardboard, is received between lugs that are formed as part of the frame and the flange that is formed on the container, the elongated strip thus defining a backing for the display package and preventing the parts of the package from accidentally or inadvertently becoming disengaged.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an attractive and inexpensive display package for the display of an ornamental article therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide a display package for displaying an ornamental article therein, wherein the component parts of the package are interlocked in a simple yet effective manner.

Still another object is to provide a display package wherein the component parts thereof are locked in position by a strip of material that is inserted between the inner wall of the frame of the package and lugs that are formed on the frame.

Still another object is to provide a display package in which a transparent open-top container is seated in a slot formed in an elongated frame, a flange formed on the container having projections formed thereon that seat Within depressions formed in the inner wall of the frame.

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Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the display pack age embodied in the present invention showing the vertical position of the display package when it is mounted on a hanger or hook;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the component parts of the. display package illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 in FIG 3.

Referring now to the drawings, the display package embodied in the present invention is generally indicated at 10, and, as shown in FIG. 1, is adapted to be mounted on a display hanger or hook 12 that is, in turn, secured to a suitable support indicated in dotted lines at 14. It will be understood from the description of the invention following hereinafter that the display package 10 may be placed in a generally flat position with the article for display therein extending in a generally horizontal plane. In this position, the display package 10 would be employed for display in a showcase or the like. Regardless of the position of use of the display package 10, the component parts thereof remain the same; and referring now to FIGS 2, 3 and 4, these parts will be described in detail.

The component parts of the display package embodied herein are defined by a frame generally indicated at 16,-

an open-top container generally indicated at 18, and an elongated strip generally indicated at 20. The frame 16 is preferably molded of a high-impact non-transparent plastic material of a bright color for ornamental purposes. The open-top container 18 is preferably vacuum formed of a plastic material such as acetate and has a blister-type configuration, as will be described. Although the strip 20 may be formed of any suitable material, this part is preferably formed of cardboard and thus is rela-- tively inexpensive to produce. Since the strip is also nontransparent, the article displayed within the pack-e,

age is viewable only from the front of the package and through the transparent blister-type open-top container 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame 16 as shown includes a wall 22 which has a generally rectangular configuration and in which an elongated, rectangularly shaped slot 24 is formed. Since the slot 24 is formed in the flanges 26, 28; 30 and 32, being formed on the margin-* a1 edges of the Wall 22 and depending therefrom. Joined to the flanges 26 and 28 in spaced-apart relation are a plurality of lugs 34 that are generally parallel to the Wall 22 and cooperate therewith to define means for re taining the container 18 and strip 20 in the assembled position thereof, as will be described hereinafter. Formed in the wall 22 adjacent the flange 30 is an opening 36 that is adapted to receive the hanger or book 12 therein when the display package 10 is mounted for display in the position as illustrated in FIG. 1. As will be described hereinafter, the opening 36 cooperates with a similar- Also formed in the underside of the longitudinal marginal portions of the wall 22 are a plurality of depressions 38 which, as shown in FIG. 2, are located in staggered relation with respect to the lugs 34. As will be described hereinafter, the depressions 38 cooperate with projections formed on marginal flanges of the container 18 to prevent disengagement of the container from the frame when lateral inward pressure is applied to the container.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the elongated open-top container 18 is illustrated in detail, and, as described above, the container 18 is vacuum formed in a blister-type construction and as such is formed of a flexible acetate plastic material. The container 18 is adapted to receive an ornamental article, such as a watch band, therein and for this purpose is formed transparent, it being apparent that this transparency of the container provides for the visible display of the article disposed therein. The container 18 includes a bottom wall 40, side walls 42 and 44, and end walls 46 and 48. Joined to the end wall 48 is an end portion 50 that defines an end flange for the container 18 and further cooperates to define an end groove 52 in which accessory articles may be located that are associated with the article to -be displayed in the package. In this connection, the groove 52 may contain end pins that are utilized in the connection of a wrist band to the end lugs of a wrist watch. Joined to the side and end walls of the container 18 is a marginal flange that is defined by side portions 54, 56 and end portions 58 and 68, the flange portions 54, 56, 58 and 60 being integrally formed to define a continuous flange. As previously described, the portion 50 defines the end of the opening in the container and, as shown in FIG. 1, the groove 52 and end flange portion 60 extend beyond the container end wall 48 to define an extension therefrom. Formed in the opposite end flange portion 58 is a groove 63 that cooperates with the opening 36 in the wall 22 of the frame 16 and an opening in the strip to receive the hook 12 therein.

In order to positively locate the open-top container 18 within the slot 24 of the frame 16, a stepped shoulder indicated at 62 is provided and is joined to the side and end walls 42, 44 and 48 of the container, terminating at the uppermost ends thereof in the side flange portions 54, 56, the end flange 58 and the end portion 50. As will be seen in FIG. 3, the shoulder 62 conforms to the configuration of the slot 24 and seats the container 18 within the slot 24 in conformed relation.

In order to further positively locate the container 18 with respect to the frame 16, the side flange portions 54, 56 of the container 18 are provided with projections 64 that depend from the underside of the flanges 54, 56 as viewed in FIG. 2. The projections 64 are located in spaced-apart relation and are adapted to be received within the depressions 38 of the frame when the container 18 is located in assembly therewith. The position of the projections 64 with respect to the depressions 38 is shown particularly in FIGS. 3 and 4, and it will be seen that When the strip 20 is disposed in the assembled posit-ion thereof, the projections 64 will be locked within the depressions 38, and the container 18 will thus be positively positioned with respect to the frame 16. The interact-ion of the depressions 38 and the projections 64 further cooperates to prevent the container 18 from disengaging from the frame 16 when lateral inward pressure on the container walls is encountered.

In order to lock the container 18 in the frame 16, the elongated strip 20 is provided. As shown in FIG. 2, the strip 20 has a generally rectangular configuration and is shaped and proportioned for fitting over the marginal flanges of the container 18 and within the side and end flanges of the frame 16. In the assembled position of the elongated strip 20, the marginal portions of the strip overlie the side flange portions 54, 56 and end flange portions 58, 60 of the container 18. These same marginal portions of the elongated strip 20 are received underneath the lugs 34 of the frame 16. The marginal portions of the strip 20 thus further overlie the inner surfaces of the wall 22 and as such capture the end and side flange portions of the container 18 therebetween and the inner surfaces of the wall 22 to lock the container 18 in the assembled position thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the elongated strip 20 further overlies the groove 52 and the end flange portion 60 to enclose the accessory elements that are contained within the groove 52 of the container 18. As further seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, an opening 66 is formed in one end of the elongated strip and cooperates with the groove 63 formed in the end flange portion 58 of the container and the opening 36 in the wall 22 of the frame 16 to receive the hook 12 therethrough.

In the assembly of the display package 10, the article to be displayed, such as a wrist Watch band indicated at 68, is placed within the container 18, and the container 18 is then located within the frame 16. In the assembly of the container 18 with the frame 16, the marginal flanges of the container are placed on the inner surfaces of the wall 22 beneath the lugs 34, the projections 64 being disposed in the depressions 38. The strip 20 is then inserted beneath the lugs 34 and in overlying relation with respect to the flange portions of the container 18. The strip 28 in the assembled position thereof is thus fully located within the marginal flanges of the frame 16 and is prevented from accidental removal therefrom. The container 18 is thereby positively locked between the strip 20 and the frame and is prevented from longitudinal or lateral movement in the locked position of the assembled component parts.

It is understood that in the assembly of the component parts, the ornamental surfaces of the watch band 68 will be located such that they are visible through the bottom wall 40 of the container 18. Since the bottom wall 40 projects outwardly of the wall 22 of the frame, the article for display, such as the watch band 68, is clearly viewable in the display package. As described hereinabove, the frame 16 is preferably molded of a colored material and as such cooperates with the transparency of the container 18 to add to the ornamentality of the package. It is apparent that if it is necessary to remove the watch band 68 from the container, the strip 20 is withdrawn from the inserted position thereof and the watch band 68 may then be removed from the container 18.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a display package, a frame molded of a plastic material and having an elongated slot formed therein that defines side and end marginal walls, integral flanges formed on the marginal edges of said side and marginal walls, a plurality of spaced lugs joined to the flanges formed on said side marginal walls and extending inwardly over said side marginal walls in parallel relation with respect thereto, a plurality of spaced depressions formed in said side marginal walls on the inner surfaces thereof and arranged in staggered relation with respect to said lugs, an elongated transparent container for containing an article for display therein and including bottom, side and end walls and marginal flanges joined to the side and end walls of said container, th marginal flanges joined to the side walls of said container having a plurality of spaced projections formed on the inner surfaces thereof, said container being removably received Within the slot of said frame with the bottom wall of said container being spaced from the outer surfaces of the marginal walls of said frame and the marginal flanges of said container being located in contact with the inner surfaces of themarginal walls of said frame, each of said projections being aligned and located within a depression to positively locate said container with respect to said frame. and. to P event said container marginal flanges from disengaging from said frame when the container is subjected to lateral pressure, and an elongated strip covering the open top or said container to enclose the article therein and being disposed between the flanges on said frame, the marginal edges of said strip overlying the marginal flanges of said container and being located beneath said lugs, wherein said strip is eifectively locked to said frame to lock said container in said slot.

2. In a display package, an elongated frame having a longitudinally extending slot formed therein that defines side and end marginal walls on said frame, flanges formed integral with the side and end marginal walls and cooperating with the underside thereof to define a recessed interior marginal area, the upper surfaces of said side and end marginal Walls of said frame that surround said slot forming a continuous surface, a plurality of spaced lugs joined to the flanges formed on said side marginal walls and projecting inwardly over the underside of said marginal walls in parallel relation with respect thereto to define channels that are located interiorly of said frame, an elongated transparent open top container for containing an article for display therein, said container being formed in one piece with a bottom wall and side and end Walls joined to said bottom wall to define a blister-type construction,

marginal flanges joined to said side and end walls of said blister-type container and extending generally parallel with the bottom wall thereof, said container being located in said frame in upside-down relation so that the bottom wall and side and end walls joined thereto project through the slot in said frame, the dimensions of said slot being movement thereby, wherein said strip and container are effectively locked to said frame.

3. In a display package as set forth in claim 2, means formed on said frame and cooperating with. means formed on said container for positively locating said container with respect to said frame and for preventing said container marginal flanges from disengaging from said frame when the container is subjected to lateral pressure.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,581,778 1/1952 Young 20678 2,689,059 9/1954 Nudell 2204l 2,892,541 6/1959 Hahn 20678 FOREIGN PATENTS 852,434 10/ 1952 Germany.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

GEORGE O. RALSTON, Examiner. 

1. IN A DISPLAY PACKAGE, A FRAME MOLDED OF A PLASTIC MATERIAL AND HAVING AN ELONGATED SLOT FORMED THEREIN THAT DEFINES SIDE AND END MARGINAL WALLS, INTEGRAL FLANGES FORMED ON THE MARGINAL EDGES OF SAID SIDE AND MARGINAL WALLS, A PLURALITY OF SPACED LUGS JOINED TO THE FLANGES FORMED ON SAID SIDE MARGINAL WALLS AND EXTENDING INWARDLY OVER SAID SIDE MARGINAL WALLS IN PARALLEL RELATION WITH RESPECT THERETO, A PLURALITY OF SPACED DEPRESSIONS FORMED IN SAID SIDE MARGINAL WALLS ON THE INNER SURFACES THEREOF AND ARRANGED IN STAGGERED RELATION WITH RESPECT TO SAID LUGS, AN ELONGATED TRANSPARENT CONTAINER FOR CONTAINING AN ARTICLE FOR DISPLAY THEREIN AND INCLUDING BOTTOM, SIDE AND END WALLS AND MARGINAL FLANGES JOINED TO THE SIDE AND END WALLS OF SAID CONTAINER, THE MARGINAL FLANGES JOINED TO THE SIDE WALLS OF SAID CONTAINER HAVING A PLURALITY OF SPACED PROJECTIONS FORMED ON THE INNER SURFACES THEREOF, SAID CONTAINER BEING REMOVABLY RECEIVED WITHIN THE SLOT OF SAID FRAME WITH THE BOTTOM WALL OF SAID CONTAINER BEING SPACED FROM THE OUTER SURFACES OF THE MARGINAL WALLS OF SAID FRAME AND THE MARGINAL FLANGES OF SAID CONTAINER BEING LOCATED IN CONTACT WITH THE INNER SURFACES OF THE MARGINAL WALLS OF SAID FRAME, EACH OF SAID PROJECTIONS BEING ALIGNED AND OCATED WITHIN A DEPRESSION TO POSITIVELY LOCATE SAID CONTAINER WITH RESPECT TO SAID FRAME AND TO PREVENT SAID CONTAINER MARGINAL FLANGES FROM DISENGAGING FROM SAID FRAME WHEN THE CONTAINER IS SUBJECTED TO LATERAL PRESSURE, AND AN ELONGATE STRIP COVERING THE OPEN TOP OR SAID CONTAINER TO ENCLOSE THE ARTICLE THEREIN AND BEING DISPOSED BETWEEN THE FLANGES ON SAID FRAME, THE MARGINAL EDGES OF SAID STRIP, OVERLYING THE MARGINAL FLANGES OF SAID CONTAINER AND BEING LOCATED BENEATH SAID LUGS, WHEREIN SAID STRIP IS EFFECTIVELY LOCKED TO SAID FRAME TO LOCK SAID CONTAINER IN SAID SLOT. 